WACO NEWS-TRIBUNE MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1940
A mother and her 16-year old son were burned to death when fire destroyed an eight room frame house at 718 South Fifth Street shortly before 3 o'clock Sunday morning. Screams of the 8-year old daughter of the dead woman were credited with saving the lives of 12 other occupants of the house. The dead are: Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Time Herald. Fourteen members of four families were asleep in the house when the
screams of Ella Loraine Ridings, her room a mass of flames, announced the danger. Mr. & Mrs. Leslie A. Dowda, the mother grasping a young child in her arms, escaped by leaping through a window, witnesses said. Dowda is a WPA employee. Others making escape: Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Farmer, daughter and son-in-law of the elder Ridings, escaped through a rear door as did their son George, 13, also a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Times Herald. Thurman Ridings, a married son of the
dead woman, turned in the fire alarm and aided his wife Edna in escaping. William H. Ridings, Sr., with a younger son, Joe Milton, and the daughter, Ella Lorraine, escaped through a front door. An older daughter, Maggie Lou, was spending the night with relatives.
WENT BACK FOR SON
Fire Chief Jim Meers said witnesses told him Mrs. Ridings escaped the blaze, then grew worried over
the safety of her son and returned in a effort to rescue him. Meers said she had a blanket, evidently being used as a shield, over the head, when her body was found in the middle of a front room. Young Ridings, was burned beyond recognition, said fireman and police officers who investigated.
The bodies were taken to a funeral parlor by Browns Ambulance. The youth's body was also found
in the middle of a room immediately to the rear of the one where Mrs. Ridings perished.
BITS OF ROOF FALL IN
The elder Ridings, who was burned on the hands said he awakened to find bits of the roof falling around his bed. He leaped up and fled to safety. Chief Meers said that when he arrived, the flames were leaping 50 feet into the air. Fire Marshall Dan Nicholson said that origin of the blaze had not been determined. George Farmer told reporters he dashed out a rear door when he awakened and found the
front part of the house on fire. He and young Ridings came home about 12:30 a.m. and went to bed he said.
Double funeral services for Mrs. Ridings and William Henry Jr., will be held at Gholson Cemetery Monday at 3 p.m. Rev. S.B. Lamb officiating, with Connally Funeral Home in charge. Pallbearers will be employees of the Hicks Rubber Co. Surviving Mrs. Ridings are the widower William Henry Ridings Sr.; three daughters: Mrs. Nellie Beatrice Farmer of Waco, Maggie Lou Ridings of Waco, Ella Lor-raine
Ridings of Waco; three sons: Thurman James Ridings of Waco, Joe Milton Ridings of Waco, George Daniel Rid-ings of Fort Sill Okla.; her parents: Mr. & Mrs. George German of Gholson; five sisters: Mrs. Lula Nobles of Waco, Mrs. Lillie Pearl Gifford of Overton, Mrs. Naomi Mosley of Gholson, Mrs. Georgia Earhart of Waco, Mrs. Bertha Kirk-patrick of Gholson; three brothers: Van German of Waco, Johnnie German of Gholson, Arra German of Aquilla.
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MOTHER, SON DIE AS FLAMES
SWEEP WACO HOME
Child's Screams Save 12 Others in Blazing House
Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, Killed in Fire
at 718 South Fifth Street Early Sunday Morning 17 Nov 1940
Members of Four Families Make Escape Through Spectacular Fire
Witnesses Say Mother Went Back in House to Aid Son, Died in Attempt
A mother and her 16-year old son were burned to death when fire destroyed an eight room frame house at 718 South Fifth Street shortly before 3 o'clock Sunday morning. Screams of the 8-year old daughter of the dead woman were credited with saving the lives of 12 other occupants of the house. The dead are: Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Time Herald. Fourteen members of four families were asleep in the house when the
screams of Ella Loraine Ridings, her room a mass of flames, announced the danger. Mr. & Mrs. Leslie A. Dowda, the mother grasping a young child in her arms, escaped by leaping through a window, witnesses said. Dowda is a WPA employee. Others making escape: Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Farmer, daughter and son-in-law of the elder Ridings, escaped through a rear door as did their son George, 13, also a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Times Herald. Thurman Ridings, a married son of the
dead woman, turned in the fire alarm and aided his wife Edna in escaping. William H. Ridings, Sr., with a younger son, Joe Milton, and the daughter, Ella Lorraine, escaped through a front door. An older daughter, Maggie Lou, was spending the night with relatives.
WENT BACK FOR SON
Fire Chief Jim Meers said witnesses told him Mrs. Ridings escaped the blaze, then grew worried over
the safety of her son and returned in a effort to rescue him. Meers said she had a blanket, evidently being used as a shield, over the head, when her body was found in the middle of a front room. Young Ridings, was burned beyond recognition, said fireman and police officers who investigated.
The bodies were taken to a funeral parlor by Browns Ambulance. The youth's body was also found
in the middle of a room immediately to the rear of the one where Mrs. Ridings perished.
BITS OF ROOF FALL IN
The elder Ridings, who was burned on the hands said he awakened to find bits of the roof falling around his bed. He leaped up and fled to safety. Chief Meers said that when he arrived, the flames were leaping 50 feet into the air. Fire Marshall Dan Nicholson said that origin of the blaze had not been determined. George Farmer told reporters he dashed out a rear door when he awakened and found the
front part of the house on fire. He and young Ridings came home about 12:30 a.m. and went to bed he said.
Double funeral services for Mrs. Ridings and William Henry Jr., will be held at Gholson Cemetery Monday at 3 p.m. Rev. S.B. Lamb officiating, with Connally Funeral Home in charge. Pallbearers will be employees of the Hicks Rubber Co. Surviving Mrs. Ridings are the widower William Henry Ridings Sr.; three daughters: Mrs. Nellie Beatrice Farmer of Waco, Maggie Lou Ridings of Waco, Ella Lor-raine
Ridings of Waco; three sons: Thurman James Ridings of Waco, Joe Milton Ridings of Waco, George Daniel Rid-ings of Fort Sill Okla.; her parents: Mr. & Mrs. George German of Gholson; five sisters: Mrs. Lula Nobles of Waco, Mrs. Lillie Pearl Gifford of Overton, Mrs. Naomi Mosley of Gholson, Mrs. Georgia Earhart of Waco, Mrs. Bertha Kirk-patrick of Gholson; three brothers: Van German of Waco, Johnnie German of Gholson, Arra German of Aquilla.
*******************************************
MOTHER, SON DIE AS FLAMES
SWEEP WACO HOME
Child's Screams Save 12 Others in Blazing House
Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, Killed in Fire
at 718 South Fifth Street Early Sunday Morning 17 Nov 1940
Members of Four Families Make Escape Through Spectacular Fire
Witnesses Say Mother Went Back in House to Aid Son, Died in Attempt
WACO NEWS-TRIBUNE MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1940
A mother and her 16-year old son were burned to death when fire destroyed an eight room frame house at 718 South Fifth Street shortly before 3 o'clock Sunday morning. Screams of the 8-year old daughter of the dead woman were credited with saving the lives of 12 other occupants of the house. The dead are: Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Time Herald. Fourteen members of four families were asleep in the house when the
screams of Ella Loraine Ridings, her room a mass of flames, announced the danger. Mr. & Mrs. Leslie A. Dowda, the mother grasping a young child in her arms, escaped by leaping through a window, witnesses said. Dowda is a WPA employee. Others making escape: Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Farmer, daughter and son-in-law of the elder Ridings, escaped through a rear door as did their son George, 13, also a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Times Herald. Thurman Ridings, a married son of the
dead woman, turned in the fire alarm and aided his wife Edna in escaping. William H. Ridings, Sr., with a younger son, Joe Milton, and the daughter, Ella Lorraine, escaped through a front door. An older daughter, Maggie Lou, was spending the night with relatives.
WENT BACK FOR SON
Fire Chief Jim Meers said witnesses told him Mrs. Ridings escaped the blaze, then grew worried over
the safety of her son and returned in a effort to rescue him. Meers said she had a blanket, evidently being used as a shield, over the head, when her body was found in the middle of a front room. Young Ridings, was burned beyond recognition, said fireman and police officers who investigated.
The bodies were taken to a funeral parlor by Browns Ambulance. The youth's body was also found
in the middle of a room immediately to the rear of the one where Mrs. Ridings perished.
BITS OF ROOF FALL IN
The elder Ridings, who was burned on the hands said he awakened to find bits of the roof falling around his bed. He leaped up and fled to safety. Chief Meers said that when he arrived, the flames were leaping 50 feet into the air. Fire Marshall Dan Nicholson said that origin of the blaze had not been determined. George Farmer told reporters he dashed out a rear door when he awakened and found the
front part of the house on fire. He and young Ridings came home about 12:30 a.m. and went to bed he said.
Double funeral services for Mrs. Ridings and William Henry Jr., will be held at Gholson Cemetery Monday at 3 p.m. Rev. S.B. Lamb officiating, with Connally Funeral Home in charge. Pallbearers will be employees of the Hicks Rubber Co. Surviving Mrs. Ridings are the widower William Henry Ridings Sr.; three daughters: Mrs. Nellie Beatrice Farmer of Waco, Maggie Lou Ridings of Waco, Ella Lor-raine
Ridings of Waco; three sons: Thurman James Ridings of Waco, Joe Milton Ridings of Waco, George Daniel Rid-ings of Fort Sill Okla.; her parents: Mr. & Mrs. George German of Gholson; five sisters: Mrs. Lula Nobles of Waco, Mrs. Lillie Pearl Gifford of Overton, Mrs. Naomi Mosley of Gholson, Mrs. Georgia Earhart of Waco, Mrs. Bertha Kirk-patrick of Gholson; three brothers: Van German of Waco, Johnnie German of Gholson, Arra German of Aquilla.
*******************************************
MOTHER, SON DIE AS FLAMES
SWEEP WACO HOME
Child's Screams Save 12 Others in Blazing House
Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, Killed in Fire
at 718 South Fifth Street Early Sunday Morning 17 Nov 1940
Members of Four Families Make Escape Through Spectacular Fire
Witnesses Say Mother Went Back in House to Aid Son, Died in Attempt
A mother and her 16-year old son were burned to death when fire destroyed an eight room frame house at 718 South Fifth Street shortly before 3 o'clock Sunday morning. Screams of the 8-year old daughter of the dead woman were credited with saving the lives of 12 other occupants of the house. The dead are: Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Time Herald. Fourteen members of four families were asleep in the house when the
screams of Ella Loraine Ridings, her room a mass of flames, announced the danger. Mr. & Mrs. Leslie A. Dowda, the mother grasping a young child in her arms, escaped by leaping through a window, witnesses said. Dowda is a WPA employee. Others making escape: Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Farmer, daughter and son-in-law of the elder Ridings, escaped through a rear door as did their son George, 13, also a street salesman for the Waco News-Tribune and Times Herald. Thurman Ridings, a married son of the
dead woman, turned in the fire alarm and aided his wife Edna in escaping. William H. Ridings, Sr., with a younger son, Joe Milton, and the daughter, Ella Lorraine, escaped through a front door. An older daughter, Maggie Lou, was spending the night with relatives.
WENT BACK FOR SON
Fire Chief Jim Meers said witnesses told him Mrs. Ridings escaped the blaze, then grew worried over
the safety of her son and returned in a effort to rescue him. Meers said she had a blanket, evidently being used as a shield, over the head, when her body was found in the middle of a front room. Young Ridings, was burned beyond recognition, said fireman and police officers who investigated.
The bodies were taken to a funeral parlor by Browns Ambulance. The youth's body was also found
in the middle of a room immediately to the rear of the one where Mrs. Ridings perished.
BITS OF ROOF FALL IN
The elder Ridings, who was burned on the hands said he awakened to find bits of the roof falling around his bed. He leaped up and fled to safety. Chief Meers said that when he arrived, the flames were leaping 50 feet into the air. Fire Marshall Dan Nicholson said that origin of the blaze had not been determined. George Farmer told reporters he dashed out a rear door when he awakened and found the
front part of the house on fire. He and young Ridings came home about 12:30 a.m. and went to bed he said.
Double funeral services for Mrs. Ridings and William Henry Jr., will be held at Gholson Cemetery Monday at 3 p.m. Rev. S.B. Lamb officiating, with Connally Funeral Home in charge. Pallbearers will be employees of the Hicks Rubber Co. Surviving Mrs. Ridings are the widower William Henry Ridings Sr.; three daughters: Mrs. Nellie Beatrice Farmer of Waco, Maggie Lou Ridings of Waco, Ella Lor-raine
Ridings of Waco; three sons: Thurman James Ridings of Waco, Joe Milton Ridings of Waco, George Daniel Rid-ings of Fort Sill Okla.; her parents: Mr. & Mrs. George German of Gholson; five sisters: Mrs. Lula Nobles of Waco, Mrs. Lillie Pearl Gifford of Overton, Mrs. Naomi Mosley of Gholson, Mrs. Georgia Earhart of Waco, Mrs. Bertha Kirk-patrick of Gholson; three brothers: Van German of Waco, Johnnie German of Gholson, Arra German of Aquilla.
*******************************************
MOTHER, SON DIE AS FLAMES
SWEEP WACO HOME
Child's Screams Save 12 Others in Blazing House
Mrs. Annie Ridings, 46, and William Henry Ridings Jr., 16, Killed in Fire
at 718 South Fifth Street Early Sunday Morning 17 Nov 1940
Members of Four Families Make Escape Through Spectacular Fire
Witnesses Say Mother Went Back in House to Aid Son, Died in Attempt
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